From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-11-17 14:04:05
Jon Freer’s Reviews 16th November 2003.
Thanks to Q Burns, Jonas at Kickin, Lauren at Warp, all at Ether, Margit at Ware & Nadav for these...
Pimp Daddy Nash - The New Jazz Science (Eighth Dimension)
Available Now. CD album.
Defying the title somewhat, “The New Jazz Science” is not a technical investigation of the future jazz scene. It is in fact a good-natured future retro funkified long player, where, in the majority, the instrumentals outshine the vocal offerings. “La Femme C’est Mysterie” is an enticing sultry affair, with an inviting sax, attractive keys and funked up beats. “To Osaka By Rail” is an oriental toned journey that speeds along past blurred scenary, courtesy of a mutating melodic synth, stylish vocal touches and perfected keys. The Turntable Rocker Mix of “A Wonderful Life” is the choice version of Pimp’s swansong, as a simmering bass partner commited beats and fairy dust sprinkled keys combine under incredibly positive vocals from the man himself. Zany fun for all the family.
Spy From Cairo – An Eye On The World (Stoned Asia)
Cat No: SARCD014. Available Now. CD album.
Born from one man’s frustration with the deplorable acts perpetrated by supposed ‘leaders’ of the world’s most powerful nations, “An Eye On The World” musically embodies the discontent felt by the majority who were never consulted over these dangerous world changing events. The ‘Spy’s’ globe trotting past is evident from the distinctive exotic fair on show here. “Spacewalk” is a bleak depiction of life, but a carefully treading guitar offers a glimmer of hope for the future. “Under The Tree” sees a shimmering eastern guitar rendezvous secretly with heaven gazing strings and vocal yelps. “All The Beautiful Machines” displays confusion and clarity in equal measures, courtesy of striking keys, wobbled synths and screwed up strings. An impressively distinctive effort.
Luke Vibert – YosepH (Warp)
Cat No: WARPCD/LP112. Available Now. CD & Vinyl album.
Not as mind-bendingly wild as some of his previous efforts, “YosepH” straddles avant-gardism and accessibility with equal panache. There are still a few ear-splitting moments, but thankfully these are outweighed by more sensible acidic exploits. “Synthax” sees brutally hit percussion, barely contained washing FX, ailing nasal synths and fractured key kaleidoscopes combine to produce an energising sojourn. “Countdown” is a twisted tribute to the excitement of waiting to fly, whose alien-type vocals suggest an almost Kraftwerkian respectfulness for this form of transport, as an old school acid bass and stuttered 2-step percussion duel. “Acidisco” is the soundtrack to a deranged free rave in an unthinkably bizarre venue, with drummed percussion, siren gesticulations and mystifying keys. Hardly sing-along stuff, but rewarding for those who fancy an aural challenge.
Ed Motta – Poptical (Trama Music)
Available Now. CD album.
An musical genius and celebrated wine critic, Ed Motta is not your average Brazilian musician. His key led compositions can get a little dry in places, but impress overall. “Tem Espaço Na Van” is a crazy key outing, with shaken not stirred percussion and an encouraging live bass. Bluey of Incognito contributes his songwriting talents to “The Rose That Came To Bloom”, a deeply resonating teary eyed cut with heartfelt keys. “Pra Se Lembraur” sees popping digital percussion relax alongside a fizzing bass and expressive vocals. One of a kind!
Various - The Sound Of Cologne 3 (Sound Of Cologne Records)
Cat No: SOCCD03. Promo. Double CD compilation.
If this collection is anything to go by, then Cologne is a city where there is a great musical divide. The first and superior half of the album is classy German Technoid touched grooves, whilst the second is an unapologetic brash fashion conscious selection of electro-orientated vocalised cuts. René Breitborth’s “Coruscant” is a wonderfully caring slice of techy warmness, with a demonstrative live bass, blissed out keys and devoted synths. Ill-Young Kim’s “Live At Wembley 2013” marries the excitement of a full-scale concert with the atmosphere of a huge sporting event, courtesy of crowd appreciations, violent synth and almost rave-type passionate keys. “Coloma’s “If You Can’t Be Good” is a metaphor heavy love bitten ode, where twisting bass nastiness undercuts knifing percussion, ringing keys and levitating strings. A game of two halves.
Polar Pair – Cresh (NMC/Polar Pair)
Available Now. CD album.
London based Israeli pair Malkiel Grossman and Nadav Ravid make striking music, which challenges the listener. This nature of this album means that there are some wonderful moments, but also some that just confuse. “Nude Beginning” takes stretched de-robed strings, heavy as bricks beats, analogue bareness and contorted synths on a voyage of discovery. “Friends” has a disappointingly negative outlook with regards to relationships formed with acquaintances, as sweet yet hard stepped percussion meets string uplifts and approachable synths combine. “Be Cruel” tells the sad truth of a failed relationship, over cosmic synths, a funk-minded bass and tripped out keys. Worth investigating cautiously.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
reviewer and writer for the following
websites and magazines: Blues & Soul Magazine,
FACT Magazine,littleplanet.net, City Life Magazine,
XLR8R Magazine, Keep On Magazine, pitchadjust.com,
beyondjazz.net, Store Records(Sheffield),
cratertechnology.com, vybemuzik.com, Steel Press,
deephousenetwork.com, offitsface.com, Sandman mag,
breakevencrew.com, overloadmedia.co.uk, funk-me.com,
Vanguard online, quadrastate.co.uk, spaced.co.uk,
beats.to, housecollective.org, capitolvibes.com,
www.selekta.com, djriri.com, universalsource.co.uk,
Inner Loop Magazine, housemuziq.com, undergroundhouse.net, worlddj.com,
mosoul.co.uk, discotribe.net, flygarictracks.com,
skansen.no, nwdnb.co.uk
planetsoulnetwork.com
allaboutdj.com
mundovibes.com...
Writer for:
Brique Rouge, Exceptional Records,
Foreplay Recordings,
Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
Spiritual Life Music and more...
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